Giving ear drops to cats: How to do it

Giving a cat ear drops sounds simple, but it can prove to be downright difficult. In many cases, the animals resist so strongly that the medication does not land in the right place.

With the right preparation and a few little tricks, you can not only provide your velvet paw with ear drops, but also make the cleaning and care of the ears much easier in the future.

Especially in the case of chronic diseases or frequently occurring ear infections, this is crucial for the treatment and a relaxed relationship between you and your pet.

Nevertheless, you must also pay attention to your own safety. Cat scratches or even bites can become severely infected and even require surgery.

In this article you will learn how to administer ear drops to your cat without putting yourself in danger or hurting your cat. From preparation to emergency medication, we’ll give you practical tips and tricks that will save your pet and you stress.

Getting cats used to ear drops and care

Ideally, you should start to accustom your kitten to comprehensive examinations, ear checks and cleaning, and the care of teeth and coat.

In this way, the kitten will perceive the measures as normal and will be much more sociable and relaxed.

The work at the beginning pays off therefore a whole cat life long.

Always keep your cat calm and patient. Incorporate the care measures and controls during cuddling, combine them with petting and reward your cat for calm behavior.

Especially cleaning the ears with a solution is unpleasant for cats. However, you can do this gradually by first using a warm, damp washcloth and imitating the mother’s brushing.

If your cat trusts you without any problems, she will put up with the tiresome application of ear cleaner.

You can also distract her with treats and play afterwards, so that she associates the cleaning with something positive.
Administering ear drops to cats in acute cases

Often there is not enough time to get your cat used to an ear infection.

In addition, inflammation or other problems in the area of the ears are usually accompanied by pain. This makes the administration of the drops more difficult.

This is not easy anyway, because the applicator must be inserted deep into the ear canal.

Ideally, you have a helper who can hold your cat. This will make it easier to administer the remedy.

Pay attention to the amount prescribed by the vet and massage the ear canal for optimal distribution.

Again, it is better to have both hands free and not have to restrain your pet yourself.

Afterwards, hold the cat for a moment, stroke it soothingly and wait until it relaxes.

In this way, you give the drops time to spread and prevent immediate shaking. On the other hand, you prevent panic running away.

If you cannot involve a helper, the following part will help you.

Administering ear drops to a cat without a helper

Snarling, growling, screaming, scratching, biting: when cats feel fear or pain, or want to escape a situation, they can become very defensive.

This not only prevents you from administering ear drops – which is bad enough already.

Both your cat and you can get hurt or injured in the process.

Here is a trick that can help you: Wrap your cat up.

Wrapped in a thick blanket or towel, she will not be able to use her claws, pry herself off or run away.

Thus, it is enough if you fix it with one hand or pinch it between arm and torso, hold its head still with one hand and administer the drops with the other.

Even with an inexperienced helper, it is a good idea to wrap your cat. The method makes it easier to keep the animal close to your body, increasing safety for everyone involved.
Administering ear drops to a cat

If you don’t have any experience with administering ear drops to a cat yourself, you should have your veterinarian show you the correct procedure directly.

Again, the administration is usually done with a helper or you have to hold your animal yourself.

Do you not succeed in applying the ear drops correctly despite the tips and getting used to them?

You are not alone in this. Some cats show extreme reactions out of fear or pain, hardly let themselves be touched or immediately take flight when they even smell the ear drops.

In the worst case, you will have to visit the vet every day to continue the treatment.

This means more effort, but it can be the last alternative.
Tips for the administration of ear drops in cats

You may be able to simplify the therapy with the following tips:

• confine your cat to one room: during the treatment it is useful if your cat cannot hide. Therefore, limit them to one room for the duration of the therapy.
• consider painkillers: if your cat struggles a lot during a severe inflammation, pain may be responsible. Painkillers will make the treatment easier.
• keep hiding the ear drops: If the ear drops are always in the same place, your cat will hide as soon as you reach for them. Therefore, try to place them inconspicuously elsewhere each time, so that no expectation arises with your velvet paw.

When your cat needs ear drops

For some house cats, giving them is unproblematic. With other cats, you’ll have to get creative.

From luring them with treats to wrapping them in a blanket and using a helper or having them administered at the vet’s office, you can only decide individually what works for your cat and you.